Accepting candidates is EC responsibility – not the Governments

A senior government official has stated that accepting presidential candidates for elections fall under the legal mandate of the Elections Commission and not that of the Government.

The official said the eligibility criteria for all candidates is clearly set in the Constitution and that there is nothing that can be carried out, outside of the criteria.

“For example a party can declare that their candidate is Haajaraage Abdullah Luthfee, who is one of the biggest traitors. He is currently in hiding. The government has no say in determining the validity of his candidacy. It is the Elections Commission, as the Constitution clearly says,”

The official also appealed not to spread false accusation spurred on by twisted and misrepresented statements from organizations such as the UN.

“I do not believe that the UN will instruct to act against the laws and constitution of a nation. The partiesdo not have the right to determine if their candidate is eligible. UN is more than aware that the responsibilities of a Commission cannot be handed over to political parties,”

Former President Mohamed Nasheed had said that all candidates chosen by respective parties can contend in the 2018 elections, as declared by the UN.